DETROIT – With each passing day it’s becoming very clear that Juan Gonzalez’ first season as a Tiger will also be his last.

Publicly, Gonzalez says he enjoys his new team even if he isn’t wild about the spacious dimensions of Comerica Park. Privately, however, Gonzalez is making plans to depart when he becomes a free agent following the season.

“He looked at his numbers the other day and said, ‘I better get going so I can sign as a free agent,'” a member of the Tigers’ organization said.

The feeling around the Tigers is that Gonzalez, who turned down a eight-year deal worth $140 million and then watched the club take it off the table in January, doesn’t know where he wants to play next year but knows it’s not at Comerica Park.

Adding to his discomfort is Tiger fans constantly booing him for the embarrassing numbers next to his name. After going 1-for-4 in yesterday’s 6-3 win, Gonzalez is hitting .225 with four homers, nine RBIs and giving off the impression that he doesn’t care about playing.

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Tiger first baseman Tony Clark, a hitter the Yankees have kept an eye on, was placed on the 15-day DL yesterday with a strained left rib cage muscle. Clark is hitting a disappointing .176 with four homers and seven RBIs in 25 games.

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Mike Stanton played with Kent Mercker in the Braves’ system from 1987 to 1995 and the left-handed pitchers grew very close. That’s why Stanton was shook by the news that his friend was in intensive care in a California hospital with a blood clot in his brain.

Allen Watson is done in Tampa and has reported to Columbus. If there are no setbacks, he’s expected back in big leagues in seven to 10 days … After throwing in the bullpen on Friday to make sure his tender right shoulder was okay, Ramiro Mendoza was part of Torre’s bullpen yesterday.